Dr. June Deponte Sernak has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alice Paul Institute (API) effective immediately.   

Dr. DePonte Sernak of Delanco, NJ, is the second woman of color and the first person descended from indigenous people to serve in this role. Her predecessor Deirdre Webster Cobb’s term ended in June after nearly 3 years of service to the organization. Webster Cobb successfully guided the organization through transitional leadership and helped reframe its DEAI practices.  

“Dr. June” was unanimously elected by her peers and her term began on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. She joined the API Board of Directors in May 2020, and served as the Chair of API’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and First Vice Chair of the Board before assuming her role as Board Chair.   

“I stand on the shoulders of all the diverse women in history who have fought for equality. I am honored to represent my multi-cultural Indigenous ancestors in leading one of the most powerful collective voices in our history for women’s rights. Alice Paul dedicated her life to the ERA in the wake of systemic racism and prohibitive legislation.  It is 2022 not 1920 and there is still much for us to do,” said DePonte Sernak.  

Dr. June brings a unique mix of business, educational and nonprofit experience to API. She currently serves as the Statewide Diversity Consultant for Center for Family Services, located in Voorhees, NJ, where she provides consultations on cultural competence planning and implementation. She is responsible for researching and advising on diversity and inclusion issues and creating programs, trainings, and conferences throughout the state of New Jersey.  Her previous work experience includes serving as Dean of Lifelong Learning/ Co Chair President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Senior Adjunct Professor at Rowan College at Burlington County, Mount Laurel, NJ; Executive Director at American Red Cross, Pennsauken, NJ; and many years of sales and marketing in the telecommunications industry. 

Dr. June recently received her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation EdD at Wilmington University.  Her dissertation topic was “The Professional Practice of Chief Diversity Officers:  Defining the Changing Role in Institutional Culture for Diversity.”  She holds an M.B.A. in Management from Strayer University, Trevose, PA.  and earned a BA in Marketing from Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ.  

Her extensive volunteer leadership assists numerous organizations throughout southern New Jersey in a wide array of capacities, including Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce; Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey: Diversity & Inclusion Council; Burlington County Military Affairs Council, Board Member and Marketing Chair; and NAWBO SJ, Member and Founder Diversity & Inclusion Committee.   

Dr. June has been awarded by The Arts and Business Council Philadelphia Business Volunteer of the Year Award, 40 Under 40 Minority Executive Award, SNJBP Magazine Women Executive of the Year, and she has been among South Jersey Magazine’s Exceptional Women, Entrepreneurs & Executives.  

Amongst Dr. June’s first duties will be to guide the board in the creation of the nonprofit’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. The process will include input from a wide range of API’s stakeholders, including staff, donors, funders, former and current board members, girls and parents, program participants, and the community at large.  

“Dr. June’s approach to strategy prioritizes collaboration. Her ability to make everyone feel valued has been integral to defining the process so far. I know that the organization will thrive under her leadership, allowing us to grow our reach within the community as we seek to impact more individuals throughout the region and beyond,” said Rachael Glashan Rupisan, API Assistant Executive Director.  

In addition to Dr. June’s election as Board Chair, an Executive Committee was elected to assist her in the work of governing the organization.  The newly appointed officers are: First Vice Chair Liz Bressi-Stoppe, Moorestown, NJ; Second Vice Chair Susan Carter, Arlington, VA, and Secretary Jessica Abrahams, Washington DC.  Treasurer Isolde Benyo, Marlton, NJ continues in that capacity until her term ends in March 2023.  Bressi-Stoppe and Carter are retired executives from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and ExxonMobile, respectively.  Abrahams is partner and the Chair of the Government Contracts Practice at the law firm of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; and Benyo is President/CEO of Acute Accounting Solutions. Susan Carter and Jessica Abrahams, former members of The National Woman’s Party (NWP) in Washington D.C, joined the API Board in January 2021 when the NWP integrated with API.  

To expand the Board of Directors’ depth and breadth so they may achieve the exciting transformation resulting from the strategic planning process, API has been accepting new Members-at-Large.  Since April 2022, the API Governance Committee, chaired by Member-at-Large Nancy Mirfin of Marlton, NJ, has recruited individuals equipped with skills and experience to work with Dr. Sernak and the Executive Committee. They include Meghan Day, Stuti Yadav, Emma Kimenhour, Dr. Shawn Thomas, Julienne Verdi. 

With the recent additions of Dr. June DePonte Sernak and the capable women surrounding her, the Alice Paul Institute Board of Directors is poised to fulfill the mission and vision of the organization.